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Plasma Treatment of Textiles: Changing Fiber Surfaces

Peter J. Hauser, Associate Professor
North Carolina State University - College of Textiles

Plasma, often referred to as the fourth state of matter, is an ionized gas consisting of highly energetic electrons and positive ions. Plasmas are generated by high electric fields and can interact with solids to provide unique surface properties. Plasma treatments have been used to induce both surface modifications and bulk property enhancements of textile materials, resulting in improvements to textile products ranging from conventional fabrics to advanced composites. These treatments have been shown to enhance dyeing rates of polymers, to improve colorfastness and wash resistance of fabrics, to increase adhesion of coatings, and to modify the wettability of fibers and fabrics. Research has shown that improvements in toughness, tenacity, and shrink resistance can be achieved by subjecting various thermoplastic fibers to a plasma atmosphere. Recently, plasma treatments have produced increased moisture absorption in fibers, altered degradation rates of biomedical materials (such as sutures), and deposition of low friction coatings.

Plasma treatment may be performed either at low pressures (vacuum) or at atmospheric pressures. Although vacuum plasma processes and are well understood and are used extensively in the semiconductor industry, the fact that vacuum conditions are necessary makes low pressure plasma impractical to use in industries requiring high rates of throughput, e.g., the textile industry. Atmospheric plasma treatment, on the other hand, is well suited for continuous processing, but the technology is relatively new, and not completely understood.

A research team at North Carolina State University led by Drs. Marian McCord (Textile Engineering) and Mohamed Bourham (Nuclear Engineering) is investigating the use of atmospheric plasma for continuous textile processing. Some examples of this research are shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 1. Surface of ultra high modulus polyethylene fibers.
Left: Control. Right: He Treated 2 minutes with He plasma

Figure 2. Surface of ultra high modulus polyethylene fiber
treated 2 minutes with He/O2 plasma.

Ultra high modulus polyethylene fibers were exposed to either a helium gas plasma (Figure 1) or a plasma containing both helium and oxygen (Figure 2). Increased fiber surface roughness is clearly seen in both cases. The helium/oxygen plasma is more aggressive in action and produces a different surface appearance.

A laboratory plasma device has been constructed and is capable of exposing textile materials to atmospheric plasma conditions in a continuous process (Figure 3).

Figure 3. Atmospheric plasma unit at NC State College of Textiles

Atmospheric plasma treatment has the capability to enhance or replace conventional wet finishing processes as well as produce novel fiber surfaces. For more information on this exciting technology visit

http://www2.ncsu.edu/unity/lockers/project/ntcprojects/projects/C99-S09/.

Dr. Peter J. Hauser
College of Textiles, Box 8301
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC 27695-8301
Telephone: (919) 513-1899
Fax: (919) 515-6532

College of Textiles
P.O. Box 8301
Raleigh, NC 27695-8301
Telephone: (919) 515-6646
FAX: (919) 515-3733
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Last Site Revision:
November 12, 2009